Somasroy Chakraborty &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Stories by Somasroy Chakraborty &Amp; Abhijit Lele

Power cos seek ministry help on imported coal

Power cos seek ministry help on imported coal

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2011

Companies say the viability of 13,000 megawatts worth of projects, which have fixed power sale tariffs, hinge on the government decision.

Highest NPAs in smallest home loan bracket

Highest NPAs in smallest home loan bracket

Rediff.com   13 Jul 2011

According to recent finance ministry data that captures the performance of public sector banks, instances of home loan defaults contributing to gross non-performing assets was the highest in the category of loans up to Rs 200,000.

Jobless growth in private life insurance

Jobless growth in private life insurance

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2011

Jobless growth has found a new home - India's life insurance companies. In the last financial year, private life insurers reduced headcount by 27 per cent to achieve profitability.

How StanChart plans to expand in South Asia

How StanChart plans to expand in South Asia

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2011

Standard Chartered Bank's aim of expanding its consumer banking business in South Asia was strengthened when it convinced Sanjeeb Chaudhuri to join the bank earlier in July.

Banks fear slowdown in lending to SMEs

Banks fear slowdown in lending to SMEs

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2011

The country's largest commercial bank's SME advances grew nearly 23 per cent to Rs 119,676 crore last financial year.

Green signal for FDI in proprietary trading

Green signal for FDI in proprietary trading

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2011

RBI feels allowing foreign companies into this business may affect financial stability.

For PSBs, loss and succession go together

For PSBs, loss and succession go together

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2011

RBI slams public sector banks for the strange phenomenon of profits dipping when a new chairman takes over.

New SBI chief is on a clean-up mission

New SBI chief is on a clean-up mission

Rediff.com   31 May 2011

Insiders say some issues that demand immediate attention include improving asset quality and conservation of capital.

Education loans: Good marks, no security

Education loans: Good marks, no security

Rediff.com   13 May 2011

Bankers' committee suggests banks lend to meritorious students without collateral.

SBI's rate increase signals shift in strategy

SBI's rate increase signals shift in strategy

Rediff.com   13 May 2011

Sharp increase is a major departure from those during former chairman O P Bhatt's regime.

Race for IL&FS: Orix turns tables on RIL

Race for IL&FS: Orix turns tables on RIL

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2011

Japan's Orix Corporation, which was in talks with Reliance Industries (RIL) to sell its 23.87 per cent stake in Infrastructure Leasing and Finance Company (IL&FS), has bowled a googly.

Barclays Bank likely to review its credit card biz

Barclays Bank likely to review its credit card biz

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2011

According to sources familiar with the developments, Barclays may review several options, including the sale of its credit card operations in India.

Third of banks' MFI loans go into restructuring

Third of banks' MFI loans go into restructuring

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2011

Microfinance companies have been facing a crisis after a crackdown by the Andhra Pradesh government last year in response to allegations they were charging high rates and using coercive recovery practices.

Banks quarrel over MFI debt recast

Banks quarrel over MFI debt recast

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2011

Some banks, including ICICI, want to restructure securitised advances along with other loans. This is being opposed by Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank and YES Bank.

Bahrain unrest gets to Indian banks

Bahrain unrest gets to Indian banks

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2011

Bahrain has of late emerged as a regional hub for banking because of low tax rates and easy regulations. At present, 409 banks and financial institutions have operations there.

Developers offer freebies but buyers not tempted

Developers offer freebies but buyers not tempted

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2011

Freebies do not seem to have attracted many buyers, as both property prices and lending rates continue to remain high.

ADB refuses to back loans to Andhra MFIs

ADB refuses to back loans to Andhra MFIs

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2011

The Manila-based development finance institution has decided not to guarantee loans directed to Andhra Pradesh, where the microfinance activity has fallen sharply due to strict rules introduced by the state government in October last year.

Union Bank to outsource work for 1,000 ATMs

Union Bank to outsource work for 1,000 ATMs

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2011

As of December 2010, the bank's total outlets, including branches, stood at 5,017. Its ATM network stood at 2,516 units.

India high profit market for foreign banks

India high profit market for foreign banks

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2011

Compared to other emerging markets, accelerated growth in the domestic economy provided greater business opportunities to foreign banks in India, resulting in higher profitability.

Bankers hope for surprise from RBI

Bankers hope for surprise from RBI

Rediff.com   14 Mar 2011

Expect rate rise pause, amid market expectations to the contrary.